What does the word ‘Robotics’ mean? The science or study of the technology associated with the design, fabrication, theory, and application of robots.What are robots? Robots are machines that do work on their own, automatically.

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?The ability of a computer or other machine to perform those activities that are normally thought to require intelligence. It is also referred to as the branch of computer science concerned with the development of machines having this ability.

Robot MechanicsAs well as programming robots to be as intelligent as possible, scientists also work hard on building robots that can perform a number of complex movements as well as utilizing a variety of sensors.Important things to think about:

Purpose - What is the robot being built to do?

Materials - What will be used to build the robot? (Plastic, metal, etc)

Joints

Size

Center of gravity

Sensory inputs - Vision, Hearing, Touch, Smell, Taste

Robots in IndustryRobots are ideal for doing precise, repetitive or dangerous tasks. Around 90% of robots are used in factories with half of these being used in the automobile industry.Robots and robotic arms are frequently used for:

Car manufacturing

Military - Bomb disposal, weapons, army surveillance

Medical - Surgery, X-Rays, life support

Space - Shuttles, International Space Station, mars rovers

Some questions to think about

Will robots ever really be able to think for themselves?

Will computers ever be smarter than humans? Are they already?​Will robots ever pose a threat to humans?